As visit nears, Pope sends video-messages to 3 African nations

November 23, 2015

Two days before the beginning of his apostolic journey to Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic, Pope Francis has sent video-messages to the three nations.

“I am coming as a minister of the Gospel, to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace,” the Pope said in his November 23 English-language message to Kenya and Uganda. “My visit is meant to confirm the Catholic community in its worship of God and its witness to the Gospel, which teaches the dignity of every man and woman, and commands us to open our hearts to others, especially the poor and those in need.”

“At the same time I wish to encounter all the people of Kenya and Uganda, and to offer everyone a word of encouragement,” he added. “We are living at a time when religious believers, and persons of good will everywhere, are called to foster mutual understanding and respect, and to support each other as members of our one human family.”

In his French-language message to the strife-torn Central African Republic, Pope Francis said that he is coming “to bring you, in the name of Jesus, the comfort of consolation and hope. I hope with all my heart that my visit can contribute, in one manner or another, to healing your wounds and opening a more serene future.”

 

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Further information:

• Video-messaggi di Papa Francesco alla vigilia del Viaggio Apostolico in Kenya, Uganda e nella Repubblica Centrafricana, 23.11.2015 (Holy See Press Office)